NSW Premier League Round 9 Review

The Reds, who put together an impressive showing at Jensen Park to hand out a heavy 3-0 defeat to Bankstown City, took full advantage of Blacktown City FC?s shock loss against Sutherland Sharks on a busy Anzac Day afternoon of football action in NSW.
David Zdrilic?s Sydney United were in great touch against the Lions, with leading goalscorer Elsid Barkhousir adding a brace to his impressive tally to-date. Mirjan Pavlovic picked up Sydney United?s other goal for the evening in a performance that will certainly have the other ?title pretenders? on red alert.
Mentions must certainly go to the goalscorer?s for their efforts, though a word must be spent on youngster Ante Tomic. The attacking midfielder was involved in all forward forays for the Reds, and Tomic played a huge role in each of his side?s three goals. A definite young star to keep an eye on for the remainder of this season.
Blacktown City were expected to maintain their hold on top-spot with an inconsistent Sutherland Sharks visiting Lily Homes Stadium, though the now former League leader was in for a rude shock. A Ben Vidaic double ? a goal on either side of the break ? along with an exceptional defensive display by the Sharks, led by George Souris and Michael Robinson, setup the win for Robbie Stanton?s men, keeping the side in-touch with the top-half of the ladder, meanwhile Blacktown City FC will now enter next weekend?s clash against Sydney United as the fourth-placed side on the ladder.
Marconi Stallions sit on equal points with Sydney United, though second on goal difference, following their hard-fought win at Cromer Park against Manly United FC. On the back-foot for much of the afternoon, the Stallions resisted the Manly attacking raids largely due to the tremendous form of goalkeeper James Chronopoulos. The Stallions? shot-stopper frustrated the Manly United strikers all afternoon, before Jason Naidovski extended that frustration to all the supporters present as he slotted home from close-range to seal the points for the Stallions on 79? minutes.
At Bicentennial Park South, Rockdale City Suns fell to their first home loss of the season ? a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bonnyrigg White Eagles. In what was a dominant display by the White Eagles, Brad Boardman scored twice to ensure the side bounced back from the disappointing draw against Manly United last weekend.
Boardman broke the deadlock at the end of the first-half when he headed home a Vuko Tomasevic cross. Following the break, and despite Bonnyrigg?s dominance, the Suns drew level courtesy of Sam Awad. The striker combined nicely with captain Peter Apolevski for the goal, though the joy of the home supporters did not last long as Boardman, for the second time of the afternoon, headed the White Eagles ahead.
At Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney Olympic continued their gradual improvement following a horrible start to the season with a hard fought 4-2 defeat of South Coast Wolves. Chris Triantis and Cedric Ramirez had the Blues ahead by two goals after 16? minutes, though the Sydney Olympic faithful would have been very nervous as the Wolves ensured the teams would go in at the break all level as Mark Picciolini scored twice.
After the break, in a very tight second-half encounter, the Blues used their muscle to score two more goals ? a second to Ramirez, before Phillip Makrys deservedly picked up a goal for his efforts after a very impressive showing throughout the 90? minutes.
At Leichhardt Oval, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers collected their second win of the season in impressive fashion as the side disposed of West Sydney Berries 4-0. Following a dominant opening by the Tigers, that did not deliver a goal, new signing Hirofumi Moriyasu stepped up on 31? minutes to open the scoring. Assisted by a bad bounce in-front of goalkeeper Hamish McLean, Moriyasu?s long-range effort finished in the back of the net. Nick Rizzo doubled the Tigers lead with a cool finish moments before the break, before Robbie Younis added the Tigers third following the re-start. Hirofumi Moriyasu, who has been nicknamed ?Emperor of Japan? by a group of Tigers supporters completed the Berries drubbing with his second goal of the afternoon in the 75? minute. The Japanese import?s long-range effort curled its way past McLean for what is certainly a contender for goal of the season.
The win is a huge morale booster for the Tigers, as the side attempts to work its way up off the bottom of the League ladder.
-By Joseph Carlucci